Boxmaking machine



July 29, 1952 s, w, LANGDCN 2,604,828

BOXMAKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 22, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

S. W. LANGDON BOXMAKING MACHINE July 29, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 22, 1949 QQ QQ INVENTOR. zmayion 1,65 Jada,

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y 29, 1952 s. w. LflNGDON 2,604,828

BOXMAKIIGG MACHINE Filed Jan. 22, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 s. w. LANGDON 2,604,828

BOXMAKING MACHINE July 29, 1952 Filed Jan. 22, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I f IN V EN TOR. it 167 I W2 154221399 021 Patented July 29, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOXMAKIN G MACHINE Samuel W. Langdon, Rochester, .N. Y., assignor of one-half to Harold J. Nagle and one-half to Reginald A. Nagle, both of Rochester, N. Y.

Application January 22, 1949, Serial N 0. 72,217

6 Claims. 1 v This invention relates tobox making machines and, more particularly, to machines'for folding a glued wrapper sheet about a box blank of cardboard or similar material. Machines of this character are known in which an adhesively as sociated blank and wrapper are automatically fed to and placed on the platen of a box making machine, but such machines involve the diiliculties of moving and positioning a glued wrapper sheet over the platen without curling itand smearing the machine parts with glue, as well as lack of attachment of the blank and wrapper to the form block. Machines are known also in which an attendant applies and holds an adhesively associated blank and wrapper on an upper section of the form block until gripped between it and a lower section for presentation to the foldingtools, but such machines require the manual labor of an attendant and'are also less accurate and less rapid in production than is desirable in such machines. are known in which the blank and wrapper assembly are manually applied by an attendant to the form block which is provided with means for gripping the assembly operated automatically by the motionpof the form block, but such ma-' chines are subject to the same limitations and are not adapted for handling the loose side walls of an unstayed box. I I

One object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an improved machine. of a more auto-' matic, reliable and efiicient nature.

Another object is the provision 'ofsuch a machine having fully automatic form block means for gripping and holding a blank and wrapper assembly supplied by a feeding means, without manual handling. I Another objectis to supply a machine of the above naturehaving fully automatic means for feeding a blank and wrapper from a machine for assembling the same, for gripping and holding the assembly on the form block during the operations thereon by the folding tools, and for ejecting the complete box, rapidly and automatically and without manual handling,

'Another object is to produce such a machine particularly adapted for wrapping unstayed boxes.

. Another object is to produce a machine of the above character in which the blank and wrapper assembly is automatically fed to and accurately positioned on the form block and in which the form block comprises simple and practical means for effectively gripping and holding the assembly without marking or defacing the same.

Other machines To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out'in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a box wrapping machine comprising means for feeding box blanks and wrappers thereto in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, side elevation of the machine as viewed from the right in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, top plan view of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 2, partly in section and partly broken away;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, sectional elevation of the form block mechanism as shown in Fig. 1 but with the parts in a different position;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the upper form block on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view of the form block mechanism similar to Fig. 4, but with the parts in a different position and showing some of the wrapping tools, and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, sectional view on the line 7--1 in Fi 1.

1 My co-pending patent application, Serial No. 72,218, filed January 22, 1949, Method and Apparatus for Wrapping Boxes, discloses the combination with a wrapper gluing machine and its delivery belt of mechanism for automatically feeding, registering and assembling a box blank and a wrapper, with a central panel of the blank 'adhesively secured to the wrapper and its side relates more particularly to mechanism for automatically feeding the blank and wrapper assemblies to the wrapping machine and improvements in the form block mechanism of the latter for gripping and presenting the blank and wrapper assembly to the wrapping tools.

The present invention comprises an improved wrapping machine which may be generally of the type disclosed in the patent to Philip S. Smith, No. 691,329, and the patent to Reifsnyder et al., No. 1,131,792, more particularly in regard to the wrapping tools and the mechanism for operating the same and for raising and lowering the form block means to carry the blank and wrapper assembly through a cycle of cooperation with such tools to complete and eject a finished box from the machine. My invention provides a machine of this type with improved means operating automatically in timed coordination with the wrapping machine, for feeding a blank and wrapper assembly and for gripping and holding the same on the form block means to carry it through the path in which it is operated on and completed by the wrapping tools and ejected from the machine, as will now be described.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the present embodiment of the invention comprises a wrapping machine frame, indicated generally at 10, having legs l l supporting a table top indicated generally at l2, as well as intermediate and lower shelves, l3 and 14. Rising from one side of the table I2 is a standard !5 for supporting the form block means and its operating mechanism, as hereafter described. A main operating shaft I6 is rotatably mounted in vertical position in bearings on the frame, such as a bearing H on standard i5 and a bearing IS on. shelf i3. Fixed on this shaft are upper and lower cam drums, l9 and 20. Theupper of these drums I9 is formed with upper and lower cam grooves, 2| and 22, respectively, for operating the stripper and form block means. The lower cam is formed with grooves, 23 and 24, respectively, for operating the several wrapping tools, as hereafter described.

The means for driving shaft is preferably comprises an electric motor 25 mounted on the table top l2 and having its shaft 25 provided with a pulley 2! driving a belt 28. The belt passes at its other end around a pulley 29 fixed on a jack shaft ,30 mounted in bearings, as 3| and 32, on a supporting bracket 33 on platform l3. Shaft 39 carries a worm 34 meshing with a worm gear 35 fixed on shaft [6 for rotating the same. Shaft 30- has fixed on its inner end a sprocket wheel 36 for driving the coordinated blank and wrapper feeding means hereafter described.

The table top [2 has a central opening through which the form block means is vertically reciprocated to carry the blank and wrapper assembly into cooperation with a platen and wrapping tools arranged on the main frame adjacent the table opening, as well understood in the art.

During such wrapping operations, the blank and'wrapper assembly is secured to and pressed down by the form block means against a resiliently yieldable platen 31 on the upper end of a plunger 33 sliding vertically in a bearing in a tube 39 fixed in the frame. A coiled compression spring (not shown in tube 39 bears against the lower end of plunger 38 and holds platen 3'! in yielding cooperation with the form block means and a blank and wrapper assembly carried thereby during the wrapping operations.

3 Foroperating the several wrapping tools, shelf i3 has fixed thereon a hub 49 in which is fixed an upwardly extending tube 4! supporting a sleeve 42 for limited vertical sliding movement to actuate certain of the wrapping tools. The sleeve is actuated vertically by a link'43 pivoted thereto and to one end of a lever 44 which is pivotally ,52 of a lever 53 mounted for oscillation on the casing. The lever has another arm 54 pivotally The other end of lever connected by a link 55 with a slide 56 reciprocating in a guideway in the table top and carrying a turn-in tool 5'! for turning-in the adjacent edge of the wrapper over the top of the blank wall, as well understood in the art. Lever 53 is provided also with a finger 58 operating against a curved shoulder on a block 59 sliding in a recess 60 of a slide 6! and yieldably pressed toward the lever 53 by spring means in the recess (not shown). Slide 61 reciprocates in a guideway on the table top and carries a presser block 62 for holding and pressing the wrapper against the side wall of the blank as described in said Patent No. 1,131,792, and well understood in the art, similar turn-in tools and presser blocks being provided on all four sides of the blank assembly and actuated by similar means.

The usual corner lap tools (not shown), of any known or suitable design, are carried by two slides one of which is indicated generally at 63 (Fig. 1) movable oppositely in guideways in the table top, to turn-in the four corner flaps of the wrapper at the ends of the box. Each of these slides is actuated by a lever, indicated generally at 64, which is operated by connection with a rock shaft 65 on the frame, connected by a link (not shown) with a lever 66 provided with a follower or roller 61 running in the groove 23 of the lower cam drum 20. These corner lap tools and their actuating means are generally similar in construction to those disclosed in said patents, to which reference may be had for a more particular description, the details thereof forming no part of the present invention.

The usual side rollers, 68 and 69, are yieldably carried on slides, 10 and II, respectively, which are adjustably mounted in guideways on opposite sides of the table, as shown, for folding up the side walls of the wrapper as the blank and wrapper assembly is moved downwardly by the form blocks, as hereafter described. Below these side rollers and at right angles therewith are the usual end rollers, 12 and 13 (Figs. 1 and 6), carried by slides, as 14 (Fig. 1), adjustably mounted in guideways on the table, these rollers being positioned to fold up the end walls of the wrapper, as well understood in the art.

For supporting the form block mechanism, the standard I5 has a forked bracket arm 15 (Figs. 1 and 4) on which a vertically extendingplate I6 is fixed to provide bearings for several of the parts. Sliding vertically in a guideway in this plate is a plunger 1! having fixed in its lower end a depending rod 18 movable through an opening in an upper chambered form block 19 below which the rod is fixed to and supports a lower form block 80. Plunger 11 carries at its upper end a cross head 8|, for a purpose to be later described, and the plunger is reciprocated vertically by means comprising a link 82 pivotally connected thereto and to one end of a lever 83, which is preferably mounted at 84 on an arm of the standard l5. Beyond the mounting, the lever carries a counterbalance weight 85. Between its mounting 84 and its connection with the plunger, the lever, is provided with a roller follower 86 running in the groove 22 of the upper cam drum [9, so that, as the drum rotates, the lever is rocked to reciprocate the plunger and the lower form block 80.

The upper form block 19 is fixed to the lower ends of a pair of rods, 81 and 88, sliding in bearings in lugs, 89- and 90, on the lower end of plunger 17, as well as in bearing openings in plate 16. The rods extend upwardly through bearings also in cross head 8| on the upper end of plunger 11 and are connected together above the plunger by a cross head 93. Cross head 93 has a depending stop rod 94 adjustably fixed thereto, fora purpose hereafter described. A coiled tension spring (not shown) is connected at one end to the plunger "I7 and at its other end to the cross head 93, to yieldably hold the upper form block 79 down against the lower form block 80.

The means for stripping the completed boxes from the form blocks comprises a frame 95 (Figs. 1 and 4), fixed to the lower ends of a pair of rods, 96 and 91, which are vertically slidable in hearings in lugs El and 92 extending laterally from the ends of plate I6. The rods are connected together at their upper ends by a cross head 98, whichis curved to extend around behind the plunger I1 and form block rods 81 and 88. Frame 95 is likewisecurved to extend around behind and clear such parts and has a horizontal flange 99 (Fig. 4) on which a pair of arms, I fill and I III, are adjustably mounted. The free ends of these arms carry vertically depending stripper rods, I62 and N3, the lower ends'of' which slide in openings in the form blocks IQ and 8E] for movement therethrough to strip the finished boxes therefrom. Frame 95 has a lug I66 to which is pivotally connected a link IiISpivoted at itsupp-er end to a lever H36 which is pivotallymounted at I97 on an arm Hit of the standard bracket 75. The other end of the lever carries a roller follower Idilrunning in the groove 2! of the upper cam drum I9, so that rotation of the drum acts to rock the lever and raise and lower the frame 95 and the stripper rods. Lever I95 carries a pad III for engagement by the stop rod M of the upper form block to temporarily hold it above and separate it from the lower formblock through an interval in the operation of the machine, as hereafter described. At I I3 is an ejector plunger operated in any known manner, as disclosed, for example, in said patents, for ejecting the finishedboxes from the machine.

The means for feeding the blank and wrapper assemblies and registering the same in the path of movement of the form block means comprises, preferably, a collar or fork-likeframe' II5 (Fig. 3) having therein an openingv IIB corresponding in shape and size with the central panel of the blank and in the present instance of rectangular shape, as shown, The outer side I ll of theframe is formed with a gap orfiopening IIS, sufiiciently wide ,to' .freelyclearthe plunger means of the form block toallow .the fork to be'withdrawn after the plunger means has been lowered therethrough. The sidewalls ofj the fork or collar opening H6 are flared upwardly and outwardly as atiIEi, so that'the central panel lzfl. (Fig. 1) of a blank may be passed downwardly therethrough with the upwardly folded side wallsof the blank fric'tionally held by the outwardly flared sidesjor walls Iiiifof the fork opening, theblank being held'so ,thatit's side walls are inclined or flared upwardly and outwardly forireadily'a'dmitting the form block meansinto registered engage ment with the central panel ofthe blank. The

Y blank'isv shown supported the fork" ,(Fig. l) in this position With the wrapper IZI adhesively secured to the central panel of the blank'projecting below the fork, the blank and wrapper being free from contact with other parts of the machine, but lying in the path of movementcf the form block means before its engagemenuwith theplateniil. a

Fork I is preferably supported betweenspaced arms I22 and I23 (Fig. 3), fixed on the outer end of a slide I24 supported to reciprocate longitudinally by pairs of spaced rollers I25 engaging hearing surfaces I26 on each side of the slide. Rollers I25 are mounted on the side walls of a frame I21 which supports a mechanism for feeding, registering and adhesively assembling the box blanks with the wrappers, as described in my said oopending application, to which reference may be had for further description thereof. A rock arm I 28 has its lower end pivotally mounted at I29 on a shelf I38 of the frame and the upper end of the arm is formed with a cylindrical bearing portion sliding in a bearing sleeve I32 on slide I24. Sleeve I 32 has laterally extending trunnions I 33 supported for rocking movement in bearings I34 on the slide on opposite sides of an opening I35 in which the sleeve is mounted to rock. It is apparent from this construction that rocking movement of arm I28 operates to reciprocate the slide and move its collar or frame I I5 transversely into and out of the path of vertical movement of the form block.

The means for rocking arm I28 to reciprocate the transfer collar or fork comprises, preferably, a yoke I36 having one end pivotally connected to the arm at I31 and formed with an elongated bearing opening I333 for a bearing block I39 pivotally mounted on a cross shaft idil' which is rotatably supported in bearings on the frame l2l'. The opposite end of the yoke carries a roller follower IdI running in an eccentric groove I42 formed in the side of a cam disk I fixed on the shaft I 49. The shaft has fixed thereon also a sprocket wheel I44 driven by a chain I45 passing around a sprocket wheel I43 fixed on a shaft It! rotating in bearings on the frame. Fixed on this shaft also is a sprocket wheel I48: engaged by a chain I59 passing around the sprocket 36 on shaft 30 (Fig. 7) of the driving means forthe wrapping machine. It is evident from. this description that; the operation of the wrapping machine, through the above described sprocket chains and wheels, rotates cam I43 to reciprocate yoke $36 and rockarm I28, thereby reciprocating slide I2l and its fork II5 to transfer the blank and wrapper assemblies from the mechanism on frame i2? for assembling the same into registry with the form block means as shown in Fig. 1, ready for descent of the form blocks to carry the assembly through the wrapping tools. The wrapping machine frame Illand frame I2! carrying the transfer fork or collar are preferably con nected rigidly with each other by'tie' rods, as I'II (Fig. 2). 1

The form block means for grippingand carrying the blank and wrapper assemblies from the transfer fork II5 tozthe platen and "wrapping tools comprises the upper form blcck'lg which is preferably chambered as by passageways I50, shown in Fig. 5, with p'orthol s IBI opening laterallythrough the opposite end walls of the block. as shown. Fixed to the block and com municating through openings I52 with its pas sageways, are a pair of flexible tubes"! 53, of rubber orv the like supported on" the plunger 71, as

h-y means :of a bracket I Eidjso that th-ese tubes may bend and yield as shown in Fig. :6 during the movement of the form blocks together and relatively to each other; -Tub-es I53 communicate with asource of valve controlled sub-atmospheric pressure as will now be described. 7 v

Tubes- I53 are jconnected I by pipes I 55- (Figs; 1 and 6) communicating througha T- fi tting I55 with a pipeline I51. leading to a rena which theair is exhausted to a suitable low pressure, by any known and suitable pumping means, as well understood in the art. Pipe I51 contains a valve casing I59 having a port I60 leading to the atmosphere and controlled by a poppet valve I6I on a stem I62 provided with a compression spring I63 for normally holding the valve closed. The opposite end of the stem is engaged by one end of a lever I64 for moving the stem against the spring to open the valve and equalize the pressure in the pipe with the atmosphere. Lever I64 is pivoted at I65 on the pipe and has its other end connected by a rod I66 with the intermediate portion of a lever I61 (Fig. 7) pivoted at I68 on the frame of the wrapping machine. The free end of the lever carries a roller I69 lying in the path of movement of a finger I10 fixed on vertical shaft I6 of the wrapping machine. Finger H is adjusted to such a position on the shaft that it strikes roller I69 to relieve the form block suction while the upper form block is separated from the lower block to accommodate the advance of the turn-in tools and to thereafwr fold and press the edges of the wrapper against the inner surfaces of the side walls of the blank.

In the operation of the machine, the transfer fork or collar II5 having received a registered blank and wrapper from the mechanism for assembling the same, as described in my copending application, is advanced by its reciprocating mechanism to slide the blank and wrapper off the belt of the assembly mechanism and move the as" sembly, while supported free of contact with other parts, into registered position below the form block means in its raised position as shown in Fig. l, the movements of these parts being coordinated in timed relation with one another by the common actuating means described above. The form blocks I9 and 80 descend together between the outwardly flared side walls of the blank and against its central panel, the side walls being drawn in and gripped by the suction created at the lateral ports I5I of the upper form block 79, and the assembly being thus automatically re istered with and applied directly to the form blocks before movement by the latter into co-operation with the platen and wrapping tools. After transfer of the assembly to the form blocks, the transfer collar I I 5 is withdrawn by reciprocation in the opposite direction to position for receiving another assembly. As'the form blocks carry the assembly past the side end rolls and corner flap tools to the lowered position in which the turn-in tools 51 advance to turn in the edges of the wrapper, the suction in the upper chambered form block 19 is relieved by the opening of the valve I6I in the suction line, so as to release the blank from the upper form'block which is raised to the position shown in Fig. 6. After the wrapper edges are turned in, the upper form block descends to position against the lower block and the suction is reapplied to-hold the box on the blocks until raised and striped by the positive action of the stripping means and ejected from the machine.

It is evident from the above description that the invention provides a simple and effective means for automatically feeding a blank and wrapper from an assembly mechanism to the form block means of a wrapping machine, with the glue coated wrapper suspended freely from the center panel of the blank and without contact with other parts. The associated blank and wrapper are thus registered in the path of movement of the form block means and in position to readily and precisely receive the same and be applied directly thereto. The suction feature of the form blocks provides a simple and effective means for automatically gripping and securely holding the blank by its folded side walls and for securely holding the same throughout the wrapping operations, except when the upper form block is raised at which time the assembly is released and regripped by the control of the suction connections. As disclosed in my said copending application, the blank is located in the transfer collar in conjunction with the spotting of the blank on the wrapper, so that but one registration of the blank and wrapper is required, the assembly being then accurately and freely transferred by the collar into registry with the form block of the wrapping machine and applied directly thereto, without further registering adjustments or other manipulation of the blank and wrapper. The wrapping of the box is thus accomplished in a fully automatic manner so as to eliminate the disadvantages of any manual handling of the blank or wrapper and so as to insure; furthermore, the precise registration of the box parts with the wrapping machine, as well as freedom from contact of the glued wrapper surfaces with the machine parts and the smearing of the latter with glue. Such advantageous features contribute economically to the production of accurate and neatly finished work with a minimum of waste and expense.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects and while it has been herein disclosed by reference to the details of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure is intended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it is contemplated that various modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A box making machine for wrapping unstayed box blanks comprising plunger means having thereon a chambered form block with externally opening ports on opposite lateral faces thereof, a plurality of wrapper applying tools, said block being movable by said plunger means relatively to said tools in a path for folding a wrapper about an unstayed box blank on said block, a transfer fork having its arms spaced to receive said plunger means and forming an opening shaped to receive a central panel of said blank, said opening having outwardly flared sides adapted to have the outwardly flared side walls of said blank frictionally gripped and wedged therein in position for receiving said block therebetween, said fork being thereby adapted to support an adhesively associated blank and wrapper independently of other supporting means and being movable transversely of said pathto position said blank and wrapper therein, for transfer to said block during movement thereof, mechanism for moving said plunger means and fork and for operating said tools in timed coordination with one another, and a source of sub-atmospheric pressure having a connection with the chamber of said block for gripping and holding said blank on said block by suction.

2. A box blank making machine for wrapping unstayed box blanks comprising plunger means provided with form block means having relatively movable forms, one of said forms being chambered with outwardly opening port means therein, a plurality of wrapper applying tools, said block means being movable relatively to said tools in a path for folding a wrapper about an unstayed box blank on said block means, a transfer frame having therein an opening with outwardly flared sides adapted to receive a central panel of said blank with the outwardly flared sides of said blank frictionally wedged and held between the outwardly flared side walls of said opening, the outer of said opening sides having therein an opening for the reception of said plunger means, said frame being adapted to support an adhesively associated blank and wrapper independently of other supporting means and being movable to present said blank and wrapper in the path of said block means for transfer thereto during the movement thereof, mechanism for moving said plunger means and effecting relative separating movement between the forms of said block means in cooperation with said tools, mechanism for moving said transfer frame in timed coordination with said plunger means, a source of sub-atmospheric pressure having a connection with the chamber of said one form for gripping and holding said blank thereon by suction, and means operating in timed coordina tion with said mechanisms for intermittently relieving the pressure difference between said chamber and the atmosphere during said relative separating movement of said forms to effect alternate gripping and release of said blank and Wrapper by said block means.

3. A box making machine for wrapping unstayed box blanks comprising a chambered form block having outwardly opening ports on opposite lateral faces thereof, a plurality of wrapper applying tools, said block being movable in a path relatively to said tools for folding a wrapper about an unstayed box blank on said block, transfer means movable to position an adhesively associated blank and wrapper in the path of said block, said transfer means having therein an opening adapted to admit therethrough a central panel of said blank with the sides of said opening flared outwardly to frictionally grip and wedgingly hold the folded side walls of said blank in outwardly flared position for receiving said form block therebetween, said transfer means being adapted to support and move said blank and wrapper independently of other supporting means, mechanism for moving said block and transfer means and operating said tools in timed coordination with one another, and a source of sub-atmospheric pressure having a connection with the chamber of said block for holding a blank thereon by suction.

4. A box making machine for wrapping unstayed box blanks comprising a chambered form block having outwardly opening ports on opposite lateral faces thereof, a plurality of wrapper applying tools, said block being movable in a path relatively to said tools for folding a wrapper about an unstayed box blank on said block, transfer means movable to position an adhesively associated blank and wrapper in the path of said block, said transfer means having therein an opening adapted to receive a central panel of said blank and said opening having outwardly flared sides to friotionally grip and wedgingly hold the folded side walls of said, blank in outwardly flared position for receiving said block, said transfer means being adapted to support and move said blank and wrapper independently of other supporting means, mechanism for moving said block and transfer means and operating 10 said tools in timed coordination with one another, and a source of sub-atmospheric pressure having a connection with the chamber of said block for holding a blank thereon by suction.

5. A box making machine for wrapping unstayed box blanks comprising form block means having relatively movable upper and lower forms, said upper form being chambered with outwardly opening ports on opposite lateral faces thereof, wrapper applying tools, said block means being movable in a path relatively to said tools for folding a wrapper about an unstayed box blank on said block means, transfer means movable transversely of said path to position therein an adhesively associated blank and wrapper for transfer to said block means, said transfer means having therein an opening adapted to admit therethrough a central panel of said blank with the sides of said opening flared outwardly to frictionally grip and wedgingly hold the folded side walls of said blank in outwardly flared position for receiving said block means therebetween, said transfer means being adapted to support and move said blank and wrapper independently of other supporting means, mechanism for moving said block means and effecting relative separating movement between said forms thereof in cooperation with said tools, mechanism for moving said transfer means in timed coordination with said block means, a source of sub-atmospheric pressure having a connection with the chamber of said upper form for holding said blank thereon by suction, and means operating in timed coordination with said mechanisms for intermittently relieving the pressure difference between the chamber of said form and the atmosphere during said relative separating movement of said forms.

6. A box making machine for wrapping unstayed box blanks comprising a plunger, a form block on said plunger provided with suction means having ports opening externally of said block, a platen, a plurality of wrapper applying tools, said block being movable in a path relatively to said platen and tools for wrapping an unstayed box blank on said block with an adhesively associated wrapper sheet, transfer means having a collar with outwardly flared side walls for frictionally and wedgingly embracing and holding side walls bent from a central panel of said blank and for thereby supporting and transferring said blank and wrapper independently of other supporting means, said collar having an opening in a side thereof for receiving said plunger, mechanism for moving said transfer means across said path to apply said blank directly to said block prior to engagement by said blank and wrapper with said platen, a source of atmospheric pressure having a connection with the suction means of said block for holding said blank thereon by suction, and mechanism for moving said block through said collar to grip a blank and wrapper supported thereby and carry the same into engagement with said platen and tools to effect the wrapping of said blank.

SAMUEL W. LANGDON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,906,051 Federwitz et a1 Apr. 25, 1933 2,038,129 Rider Apr. 21, 1936 2,115,539 Rider Apr. 26, 1938' 

